Rating: 
Summary: Latest edition falls short of the previous editions
Review: I've read the Sterns' Roadfood/Goodfood series for years, not quite from the beginning, but almost. I have always regarded this series as more than a guide to great regional restaurants, but as an educational tool to the many differing regional cuisines in the United States. This latest volume in the series is as entertaining and mouthwatering as the previous editions, but seems to be lacking in some areas. Half the reviews are about places previously unreviewed and half are updates on old familiar favorites. It's understandable that many eating places listed in earlier versions of the book have possibly declined in quality or even closed, but certain genres of regional specialties have disappeared completely. Where are the best hot wings in Buffalo, the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago, or the best seafood places in Washington State? You wouldn't know if you just had this current version of "Roadfood". In my own state of Oklahoma, all the barbecue joints have disappeared, or at least that what you'd think by this book. Apparently all we like around here is hamburgers. Oh well, I'm sure they'll have a new printing in about five or ten years, so maybe some of these omissions will be corrected.
Rating: 
Summary: They've covered it all!!!
Review: Jane and Michael blow my mind!How they can cover so much of this country amazes me!! I am a South LA. native, but now live in CT.In the new 2002 Edition of "Roadfood" they reviewed my local favorite in my hometown, as well as the local "gourmet" hot dog vendor in my "adopted" town of 22 years!!! Both are A+ in MY book!!! Neither are fancy, gourmet food, yet there's something special about both!! They're a fun place to go with good food, no frills, smaller price tag, and NO GETTING DRESSED UP!!! Both may require a "wait" - NO reservations!! My daughter and I recently stood in line at the hot dog vendor on Patriots' Weekend for 30 minutes!! But the ONLY hot dog my daughter, who is 27, has ever eaten in her LIFE is Chez Leonard's!!!
Rating: 
Summary: This is a great idea but don't tell your doctor!
Review: My wife and I do a lot of cross country motorcycling and this is a great book for anyone that likes the tastes of roadside America. We have tried several places in the book, from greasy spoons to ice cream and the book was always dead on with its reviews. If you are a fast food chain lover this is not a book for you. If you want down home, local fun stops then this is it. The only reason why I didn't give the book 5 stars is that the book's web site is more up to date and has more content than the book itself. Thus we tend to use the web site more often. See you on the highways and byways!
Rating: 
Summary: 500 restaurants..and all of them serving the same things!
Review: ROAD FOOD just doesn't do it for me. Each synopsis seems to be a repeat of the previous one depending on the region. Sticking pretty much to the main highways and spending far too much time in the big cities (8 places in Pittsburgh alone) the repetitious style starts to wear thin. In NJ (My home state) you are pretty much limited to subs and hot dogs. This is repeated throughout the book, lobster roll and clams in New England, BBQ and fried food in the south, you get the picture. Occasionally peppered throughout are a few personal commentaries about the people and places, but I think this could have been a more useful guide by focusing on fewer places with more detail. The summary says you should carry it with you, but its size keeps it from being a good traveling companion, especially considering its narrow culinary focus. While not a total waste of time for the road food adventurer, it is so much less than it could have been.
Rating:
Summary: Great reference
Review: Roadfood and Goodfood: A Restaurant Guidebook
Jane Stern, Michael Stern
Paperback - Combined, updated, and expanded, 1987Good fun guide book! Many of the restaurants are still open for business- would be great for a writer looking to set a book in the 1980s! Research and reference anthology of coast to coast eating in 1980s America
Rating:
Summary: Support Our (Culinary) Troops
Review: The Sterns are effectively acting in the nation's defense of good, cheap roadside eats. We should support them. Sure, I too have suffered the disappointment once or twice of travelling to a place-now-closed. That only makes me enjoy the ones I find all the more. The way I see it, just a couple of 'hits' in terms of an interesting meal on the road is worth the price of the book, and I've gotten way more than a couple of hits while driving across our fair nation. The web site is equally outstanding, and it has pointed the way to some spots in my hometown of Tucson that I didn't know existed.
Rating:
Summary: Support Our (Culinary) Troops
Review: The Sterns are effectively acting in the nation's defense of good, cheap roadside eats. We should support them. Sure, I too have suffered the disappointment once or twice of travelling to a place-now-closed. That only makes me enjoy the ones I find all the more. The way I see it, just a couple of 'hits' in terms of an interesting meal on the road is worth the price of the book, and I've gotten way more than a couple of hits while driving across our fair nation. The web site is equally outstanding, and it has pointed the way to some spots in my hometown of Tucson that I didn't know existed.
Rating: 
Summary: roadfood
Review: thought this would be a comprehensive list of many eating places
in california and the western coast. Lacking in eating places onthe coast roads up to the oregon border. very disappointed in this book Where are the places inEureka, Arcata, Truckee, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Dissapointed
Review: Used the original "Road Food" about twelve years ago. We did a Southern States cross country and "Road Food" added wondrfully to our adventure; little Mexican Restaurants, crayfish, fried chicken, gumbo, sausage and seafood shacks. What great fun. We are anticpating another Southern journey this coming spring and looked forward to using the new version of "Road Food" to, again, enhance our trip. Got it five days ago and was very dissapointed that it is, now, almost entirely a barbecue catalogue. Not a lot beyond barbecue. Too bad. We'll have to look for the information we're after on the internet.
Rating:
Summary: Haven't tried the food but loving the book
Review: We haven't been able to try any of the recommended food yet (but are hoping to very soon), but we're enjoying the book!! Good writing style and I like the layout. Only complaint at this point, so many of the midwestern resturants are in major cities -- what about places off-the-beaten-path???
|
